MCC Daily Tribune
SUNY BOT Announces Presidential Appointments for Buffalo State University and SUNY Erie Community College
Albany, NY – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed Dr. Chance Glenn as president of Buffalo State University, and Dr. Adiam Tsegai as president of SUNY Erie Community College. Dr. Glenn’s appointment is effective July 1, 2024, and Dr. Tsegai’s is effective immediately.
SUNY Board Trustee Eunice A. Lewin said, “On behalf of the SUNY Board of Trustees, it is an honor to approve the appointments of Dr. Glenn and Dr. Tsegai. Buffalo is my home, and I am proud to have Chance and Adiam be a part of the higher education leadership for this region. It is important that we continue to collaborate with our elected officials, and community and business leaders to ensure that every student in Buffalo and across our state has the opportunity of an excellent college education. My thanks to the search committees at Buffalo State and SUNY Erie for presenting such stellar candidates, and my heartfelt congratulations to the students, faculty, and staff of their campuses.”
“SUNY’s Buffalo campuses provide students from Western New York, the state, and the world with an extraordinary education at a terrific value. Buffalo State University and SUNY Erie are unparalleled community assets with strong futures ahead of them, and Dr. Glenn and Dr. Tsegai are the right leaders for these two SUNY campuses,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. “My congratulations to Buffalo State and SUNY Erie on today’s appointments.”
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, "I sincerely congratulate Dr. Chance M. Glenn, Sr. and Dr. Adiam Tsegai on their recent appointments. I look forward to working with them as they lead Buffalo State University and SUNY Erie through their next chapters. These institutions are critical to creating the workforce for tomorrow and in advancing equity in higher education, and together, we will make even more progress in promoting accessibility, affordability, and excellence throughout SUNY."
Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said, “As Mayor of the City of Buffalo, I want to congratulate Dr. Glenn on his appointment as President of Buffalo State University and Dr. Tsegai on her appointment as President of SUNY Erie Community College. Both bring a diverse background and a skill set that will serve them and their students well in their new roles. I look forward to working with them as we continue to grow Buffalo and Western New York. I also want to recognize SUNY Chancellor John King for his leadership in ensuring these local educational institutions are led by the very best.”
University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi said, “The University at Buffalo would like to extend our warmest congratulations to both Dr. Tsegai and Dr. Glenn on becoming the newest presidents in our SUNY system. I, along with our entire scholarly community, look forward to collaborating with Presidents Tsegai and Glenn to advance our shared higher education goals and realize SUNY’s mission.”
Buffalo State University has been led by Interim President Bonita Durand since long-time President Katherine Conway-Turner retired after the 2022-2023 academic year.
Chancellor King thanked Interim President Durand saying, “Dr. Durand has been a steadying force for the campus as the search committee did their work to find an excellent candidate to move the campus forward. I am grateful for her leadership and her extraordinary commitment to Buffalo State and the students we serve.”
Buffalo State University Interim President Bonita Durand said, “I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Chance Glenn as he steps into his role as the 10th President of Buffalo State University. His exceptional leadership, demonstrated through a distinguished academic career, positions him perfectly to guide our institution into the future. As we transition, I look forward to partnering with Dr. Glenn, our governance leadership, and the Buffalo State family to ensure a smooth handover. Dr. Glenn's return to Western New York marks an exciting new chapter for Buffalo State; under his guidance, I am confident we will flourish, strengthening our position as SUNY's premier urban engaged comprehensive university. Welcome, Dr. Glenn, and here's to a future of shared growth and excellence.”
About Dr. Chance Glenn
Dr. Glenn is a professor of electrical engineering, an inventor, and an innovator with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Glenn joined the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) in 2019 as provost and vice president for academic affairs. He was previously the dean of the college of engineering, technology, and physical sciences at Alabama A&M University. Dr. Glenn earlier served as associate dean in the office of graduate studies at Rochester Institute of Technology.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Victoria Economic Development Council, the Victoria Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Golden Crescent Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Houston System Black Leadership Network Board of Directors.
Dr. Glenn received his bachelor of science in electrical engineering from The University of Maryland at College Park, and a master of science degree and a doctorate in electrical engineering from The Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a certificate for management development from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Dr. Glenn said, “This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead Buffalo State University, and partner with the SUNY campuses in the Western region and across the state. Academics and research have played an integral role in my career, and I am excited to build on the excellent education provided by Buffalo State. My thanks to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor King, and the Buffalo State search committee for this appointment.”
Buffalo State Council and Presidential Search Committee Chair Linda A. Dobmeier said, “We are thrilled our search has come to a successful conclusion with the appointment of Dr. Chance Glenn as the 10th president of Buffalo State University. Dr. Glenn is a scientist, innovator, inventor, electrical engineer, and most importantly educator. He is the perfect combination of a futurist and visionary to lead and inspire Buffalo State University as we move forward at this exciting point in our history. I would like to congratulate and welcome Dr. Glenn, as well as express my heartfelt gratitude to the Buffalo State Council, Presidential Search Committee, Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees, Interim President Bonita Durand, and the entire Buffalo State University community for its support, direction, and guidance during this search that maintained the high standards of our institution."
About Dr. Adiam Tsegai
Dr. Adiam Tsegai was appointed Officer-in-Charge of SUNY Erie Community College on November 1, 2022. She previously served as the college’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, a position she was appointed to in mid-2021, after serving as the college’s associate vice president for academic affairs of health sciences, engineering and technologies. Dr. Tsegai joined SUNY Erie as the dean of engineering and technologies in 2018.
Prior to joining SUNY Erie, Dr. Tsegai held positions of increasing rank at Bryant and Stratton College from 2002-2018, including dean of instruction and dean of student services.
An alumna of SUNY Erie and the Educational Opportunity Program, having earned her associate degree in liberal arts and social science, Dr. Tsegai went on to study at the University at Buffalo, where she received her bachelor of arts in psychology and African American studies, her master of education in general education, and her doctorate in educational and leadership policy and social foundations.
Dr. Tsegai said, “I am grateful to the SUNY Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, and the SUNY Erie Board for their confidence and belief in my ability to take on the role of President at SUNY Erie. I am proud to be a part of the SUNY family and I look forward to leading our college into the future.”
SUNY Erie Board Chair Jeffrey Stone said, “The members of the SUNY Erie Community College Board of Trustees are grateful for the State University of New York’s endorsement of our unanimous choice for SUNY Erie’s next president: Dr Adiam Tsegai. Dr. Tsegai’s outstanding credentials as a higher education leader speak for themselves, and over the past year we have worked closely with her as she has led our college with enthusiasm, energy, vision, and a strong commitment to the success of our students. With her appointment today, Dr. Tsegai is making history, and we are confident that she will continue to do so.”
About The State University of New York
The State University of New York, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2022, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit SUNY's website (www.suny.edu).
Patrick Morris
Community Relations
12/06/2023